Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
54% cheaper
Jackson is 54% more affordable than Cambridge. A $75,000 salary in Cambridge is equivalent to $34,551 in Jackson.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Massachusetts salaries · Mississippi salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Cambridge has a housing index of 280 while Jackson sits at 56 (national average = 100). The median home in Cambridge costs $890,000 compared to $125,000 in Jackson, a difference of $765,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $3,100 in Cambridge versus $900 in Jackson.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Cambridge scores 110 while Jackson scores 95.
Healthcare costs in Cambridge (118) are higher than Jackson (88).
Median household income in Cambridge is $103,154 compared to $36,528 in Jackson. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Jackson.
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